“Obey The LORD’s Command To Give To The Poor And Needy…!”

“Obey The LORD’s Command To Give To The Poor And Needy…!”(Dt.15:7-11).
“There will always be poor people in the land.” This is a timeless truth. “Nobody knows tomorrow.” “Time and tide changes.” “No condition is permanent!”
A Bible commentator states succinctly, “Even in the best of societies under the most enlightened laws, the uncertainties of life and the variations among citizens result in some people becoming poor. In such cases the Lord commands that generousity and kindness be extended to them.”
The short ridge in the farm is not because the farmer was lazy or that there was not enough soil. Some things are just meant to be the way they are. So the Lord commands, “Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your brothers and toward the poor and needy in the land.”
We all need help one time or the other. My people say even a wealthy person sometimes lack a needle to stitch a patch.
Life is relative. There are people around me who think I’m very rich, but they don’t know that what I have is the goodwill of those who are rich.
The other day a friend told a top designer to stitch three suits for me. Last year another brother asked that I should send somebody down town to pick a parcel. Behold when the parcel came there were four new suits, shirts, ties and others.
I don’t hesitate to tell others of the goodness of the Lord to me through other people. So the other day, my Presbyterial Secretary wondered how many suits must be in my wardrobe! I told him I have made up my mind not to have above a certain number of suits.
Scriptures reminds us that “it is more blessed to give than to receive.” Freely you give, freely you receive. I do not give because I have received. On the contrary, I receive because I give. Nobody ever became poor because he gave to charity.
Giving to the poor and needy has its benefits. It makes the giver feel happy. Giving is good for your health. It helps in your social connection and evokes gratitude.
When you give to the needy, your generousity continues down the line and most times it returns to you in another way.
Above all, giving to the poor and needy is storing your treasures in heaven.
My friend, do you think you are poor and needy? Maybe you are! But just look around you and you’ll realise that there is somebody poorer and needier than you are. You are that person’s rich person on whom s/he depends in the same way that you depend on others.
The command to be openhanded towards the poor and needy is therefore to you too. “Do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward your poor brother…be openhanded…Give generously without a grudging heart, then…the LORD your God will bless you in all your work…”
Prayer: Holy Spirit encourage me always not to be hardhearted or tightfisted towards the poor and needy around me. Amen!
Have a blessed day! Peace be with you!
Rev Babila Fochang.